TVs 720p to 1080p on 50" Plasma - Suggestions?

So uncle Sam is sending me my yearly overpay for my taxes. And I am thinking of throwing it towards a big'ol TV. I have narrowed it down to Panasonic model, but the big question is this. The 1080p version of the TV is about $500 more, and the 720p version is sitting at a nice $800. Which is more manageable when it comes down to costs. But what about the resolution? Would I really see a huge difference on such a big screen? I have a 32" 720p tv that looks fantastic with HD content, but that larger screen is throwing me for a loop.

Thanks for any input!

 

If you'll be making decent use of it I'd go for the 1080 every time. Head down to a local e-tailer and see if you can find 720p next to 1080p, it really makes it obvious how much more detail there is (even with the usually crappy colour settings of the demo panels).

 

Dangit! Thats what I was afraid someone would say! lol

Guess I'll head on over to Best Buy and see what they look like.

Thanks Krikkit!

 

Krikkit kind of nailed it, but screen res > screen size

and the bigger the screen size the more noticeable the difference is.

For a 50" TV, IMHO you'd have to be insane not to go for the 1080p model. If it's too expensive get a 42" 1080p model instead or something...

Was shopping for a new TV for my brother recently, even at 32" 1080p TVs are noticeably better than 720p variants.

 

Completely agree. I have a 2007 50" Samsung plasma that only supports 720p/1080i. Whilst Blu-Ray does look significantly better at 720p than a DVD (both from my PC using the same HDMI output and Power DVD 7, tested using Blu-Ray and DVD versions of Deja Vu) it's not as sharp as 1080p setups I've seen.

I'd save up for the 1080p model as it will make your TV as futureproof as is practically possible.

 

A full HD (1080p) PDP will draw significantly more power than a 720p panel. Also, most "720p" PDPs have elongated pixels, e.g. 1024 x 720 (Panasonic 37" models) or 1024 x 768 (42" and larger). At a distance this isn't very noticable when viewing movies or tv, but e.g. PC or console input will have to be scaled.

Still, I urge you to go for a full HD (1920 x 1080) PDP. The image quality is just so much better. You may want 1-2 months if possible for the new 2010 generation from Panasonic to drop. Even if you don't go for a 2010 model, the 2009 models will drop sharply in price.

For Panasonic I'd say the G or V series would be the one to go for.

 

1080p panels are insanely better, but they are pricey.

And the problem is, Samsung based and LG based panels are well, inadequate comapred to Panasonic panels.

But if one were to say...find say...a used Pioneer Elite or Kuro...

Let's just say those screens are better than any regardless of 720p or 1080p.

 

Thanks everyone for the info. I'm going to wait and see what unlce sam will give me and then I can make a choice for sure. 2010 models would be ideal, but a 1080p 2009 model could do me well I think. Unless there is some huge difference between them.

Im not in a terrible rush by any stretch of the imagination, these are the first few steps into getting one. I like to be a well informed shopper!

 

The 2010 Panny's are using Kuro technology on some models now that Pioneer have pulled out the market.

 

Completely agree with what was said here.
go for 1080p. Even if that means you have to downsize the screen a bit.

 

Really now? They've implemented it already?

 

Yes, but it won't be called Kuro due to licensing restrictions. Instead Panasonic will refer to it as "Infinite Black".

 

Ah, aptly named nonetheless.

 

So I hit up BB today and compared some models. The 1080p to the 720p does show a big difference. Of course BB had the G10 that I was looking at online (had 23 in stock lol). Sitting at just under $1400. I am pretty sure my brother is going to buy my 32" set from me, so that'll offset the price a bit. I dont think the newer models are going to have that much of a difference in tech to the current model. At least what I have read online about the G15's anyway. So, we shall see what I get on a my taxes and go from there.

 

G15 is still a 2009 series. Can't remember the differences between G10 and G15, though. The 2010 equivalent will be the G20/G25 series. With "3D" support most likely (whatever that's worth to you).

 

I believe in the UK its the V25 which supports 3D. It will also be a great 2D TV as it has a much faster phosphor decay time (which it needs for 3D) so there is less chance of the dreaded purple snake which afflicted my PX60. Check out the videos below.

 

I just gone through the whole mess of trying to find a nice TV.

I've currently got a 46" Panasonic G10 sitting in my living room, but that will be going back to Costco once its replacement turns up as I'm not happy with the picture quality.

To be honest, it just appears that my eyes are ill suited to plasma technology, so I've got to go with LCD instead.

The G10 is a nice looking set though.

 

Power consumption is irrelevant when it comes to the new Panasonic Neo-PDP panels as found in the G10 and G15. They use about half the power that older panels use and can even use less than an LCD panel.

 

G15 is slimmer, has an extra HDMI port and Internet apps. Picture quality is the same.